Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Jan 12 – 13, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for wind slab in unusual areas from strong northerly winds.

Factor cold temperatures and wind chill in your trip plan this weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Expect fresh wind slabs to be forming from northerly winds. Watch for reverse-loading patterns.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4

    A weak layer found 80-120 cm deep produced very large avalanches in the region on January 6th and 10th. Avoid thin and shallow areas where triggering is more likely while this layer adjusts to the new load of recent snowfall.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Slab avalanches to size 2 were reported on north and east facing slopes at higher elevations during Tuesday's storm.

On Wednesday a size 2.5 naturally triggered persistent slab was reported on a northwest facing slope in the alpine, where the bed surface had reloaded from a previous recent avalanche. Last Saturday, a very large avalanche was reported on Joffre shoulder. We suspect it failed on the weak layer of facets or surface hoar overlying a crust.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm of light storm snow is being transported into wind slabs on south facing slopes from northerly winds. These slabs overly wind-affected surfaces and a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

A crust is found at treeline and below, 40-80 cm down. In some areas, a layer of preserved surface hoar is found just above the crust.

Another weak layer of facets or surface hoar overlying a crust is found at the base of the snowpack down 80 to 120 cm. This is the suspected failure plane for a few large avalanches in the region that occurred on January 6.

Snowpack depths are 100 to 140 cm at treeline and decrease rapidly below.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies with 20-30 km/h northerly winds. Treeline temperature drops to -30 °C.

Friday

Sunny. Northerly winds 15-30 km/h. Treeline temperature remains steady around -30 °C.

Saturday

Sunny with northerly winds 10-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures rise to -20 °C.

Sunday

Sunny with northerly winds 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures rise to -20 °C.

With unusually cold temperatures forecast for this weekend, check out the most recent Forecaster Blog for tips on backcountry preparedness.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Regions covered